Everyone should have the gift of reading. Books have entertained me endlessly, taught me the meaning of nearly everything (“42” – thanks, Douglas Adams!), and given me friendships deeper than time (especially with elves – thanks, Tolkien!). I am an unabashed reader and book-lover, and believe there is always a book for everyone, even the most reluctant reader.  

Part of the reason why we don’t have more readers is exposure. Kids who don’t read don’t do it because because they just aren’t given enough opportunity to find books they like. My mission as a teacher has always been to make space for reading – for the pure fun of it. I brought reluctant readers to the library, read poems and acted out stories, created reading journals with hundreds of fun activities, and even got my school to use graphic novels in the curriculum and exams! 

When I became a mum a second time in 2023, I took a break. Our second child, M, had been born with severe-profound hearing loss and my family needed me. 

Suddenly, I wasn’t a teacher on a mission anymore. I was just a mum. 

I wrestled with questions like: “Can my child learn to read if he can’t hear words very well?” and “Will my child hate reading, if he finds it difficult?” 

I took sign language classes, brought my child to therapy, and read up on early literacy every moment I got. And we read, read and read together. 

Our little boy is now 3, and he loves his family, his lovey (Bobo), and books. Just like his older sister.

Our journey together has taught me that a love of reading is not a matter of what we as parents do, but how we relate.

In the same way that M’s hearing loss is just another part of what makes him special and loved, so are books just another part of our family life. Both my kids know that reading isn’t something for them to achieve, but something fun that we do together.